Audit findings reveal massive misuse of public funds in megaprojects: PM

His government inherited a 'fragile' state structure and economy

FE Team | Published: May 11, 2026 23:25:44

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday pointed to alleged inflated costs and corruption in several megaprojects, including Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Karnaphuli Tunnel and Padma Bridge, citing audit findings that revealed widespread misuse of public funds.
Speaking at a meeting with senior police officials at the Prime Minister's Office at Tejgaon, he mentioned the findings from some audit reports presented to him by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), reports UNB.
The current government inherited a "fragile" state structure and economy after assuming office, the prime minister said.
"When the current government took responsibility, we found almost every sector in a very vulnerable condition. We received the country in a situation similar to that of a war-ravaged nation," he said.
Tarique Rahman said he was not presenting the issues from a political standpoint but was sharing realities revealed in official audit findings.
"A few days ago, the Auditor General came to me. I am not presenting this politically; I am presenting the reality. I am not blaming anyone politically. We are citizens of this country, and your children are growing up here, which is why I am raising these issues," he said.
The prime minister said the CAG shared several audit observations with him, some of which had also been published in newspapers.
Referring to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, he mentioned alleged excessive costs for furnishing residential facilities built for foreign personnel.
"He (CAG) told me that fully furnished quarters were constructed for foreigners there. A pillow was purchased at a cost of Tk 80,000. As an ordinary person, can you imagine a pillow costing Tk 80,000 anywhere in the world?" Tarique Rahman said. He also alleged that dressing tables worth an estimated Tk 30,000 to Tk 35,000 were shown in audit records as costing Tk 400,000 to Tk 500,000 each.
On May 5, CAG Md Nurul Islam submitted to the prime minister 38 audit reports for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Comparing the Rooppur project with a similar project in a neighbouring country, Tarique Rahman said, "A similar project in our neighbouring country reportedly cost around 14,000 crore (Tk 140 billion), whereas the cost of Bangladesh's Rooppur project ultimately stood at nearly Tk 96,000 crore (Tk 960 billion)."
Referring to the Karnaphuli Tunnel project, he alleged that several luxurious buildings or apartments were constructed on the other side of the tunnel despite no apparent necessity.
The prime minister also claimed the audit investigation found irregularities in landscaping expenses linked to the project.
"The audit investigation found that trees were supposed to be planted on both sides -- before entering and exiting the Karnaphuli Tunnel. But no trees were found there, although Tk 50 crore (Tk 500 million) had been withdrawn in the name of planting them," he said.
Tarique Rahman also referred to alleged corruption linked to development projects in Pirojpur and Patuakhali districts.
He said lawmakers from the region met him regarding stalled Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) works, particularly road construction projects.
"After making inquiries, I learned that Tk 35,000 crore (Tk 350 billion) disappeared from just one ministry -- the LGED Ministry -- through paperwork alone without any work being completed," the Prime Minister said.
Tarique Rahman said he mentioned the audit findings while responding to various demands and proposals raised by police officials regarding accommodation, transport and IT facilities.
"You spoke about housing problems, transportation and proposals for new IT units. All these require funding. We want to address these problems because better facilities will help you provide better public service," he said.
The prime minister said inflated project costs and loans taken for those projects created financial burdens on citizens. "The debt taken for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project at four times the cost has now become a burden on every citizen, including those of you present here," he said.
Comparing infrastructure costs, he referred to India's Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, saying it was completed at around Tk 14,000-15,000 crore (Tk 140-150 billion) while the Padma Bridge cost approximately Tk 54,000-56,000 crore (Tk 540-560 billion).